August 22, 2024, 8:56 am | Read time: 12 minutes
Owners often discuss whether cats need to have their claws trimmed. However, it can make a lot of sense to help the animals with paw care. Here are some things to bear in mind and how to train your cat to trim its claws.
Claws are as integral to a cat as its tail and whiskers. Cats have 18 claws and grow them for a lifetime. Claws are necessary for jumping and climbing, among other things. However, cats also use their claws to defend themselves or scratch when they itch. Cats use their claws for many things and sharpen them to remove superficial horns and keep their tools sharp and pointed. But they also need them to grab and catch prey.
Proper paw care is crucial to maintain a cat’s claws in functional condition throughout its life. Cats usually do this all by themselves. As a rule, you don’t have to help them, but there are also circumstances in which the animals need our help. One possible exception is old and sick cats that can no longer sufficiently shed their claws themselves. This is highlighted by the German Pet Supplies Industry Association (IVH). It, therefore, makes sense to train your cat to clip its claws. PETBOOK editor Louisa Stoeffler knows how to do this from her own experience.
Why regular claw clipping is beneficial for your cat
In many cases, cats are pretty good at taking care of their claws. All my cats have always groomed their paws independently. And yet, I think it’s important that they get used to me checking their claws from an early age and that this is completely normal.
This is because there are situations where our pets require our assistance. As they age, they may no longer be able to sharpen their claws. They also tear a claw from time to time due to intensive use. That’s why I practiced claw trimming with all my pets right from the start.
When should cats’ claws be trimmed?
Outdoor cats usually sharpen their claws well, so no additional human care is necessary. However, it is sometimes necessary to remove dirt or stones from their claws and then groom them. Indoor cats, who do not use their claws as intensively as outdoor cats face a different situation.
A special case of cat claws is the wolf claw on the front leg, also known as the thumb claw. Many animals (especially those kept indoors) cannot wear these down sufficiently, so they can become ingrown and cause health problems such as inflammation and pain when walking.
As a rule, it is not absolutely necessary to trim a cat’s hind claws, but you should still be able to check them for injuries or misalignment. The rear claws usually grow a little slower than those on the front legs and are not as essential for gripping and climbing. The animals also usually nibble these claws to a length that suits them. The situation is different with the front claws. These are often sharpened extensively and filed into deadly weapons. It is, therefore, also polite to trim them at least a little when visiting the vet or a cat sitter.
When are cat claws too long?
Cats don’t usually make any noise at all when they walk because, unlike dogs, they can retract their claws completely.
However, if you hear cats repeatedly making small clicking noises as they walk across tiles or laminate, their claws are too long. The animal can no longer retract them. In the long term, this can cause a misalignment when walking, which can be painful.
Cats also scratch themselves frequently. If the claws become too long, there is a high risk of injury, especially to the sensitive ears or mouth area. So, if your cat shows bloody scratch marks, it’s time to help them with their claw care.
Veterinary expert Katja Oelmann explains in the IVH that if their claws become too long, they can get caught on the carpet or other textiles. The claws could also grow into the skin of the bale. “The risk of injury also increases: the animal can pull out a claw, scratch itself during grooming, or the claw can splinter,” says Oelmann.
Only trim the tips on climbers
A veterinarian can demonstrate how to gently trim claws that are too long and determine the appropriate length. However, the correct length may depend on the cat’s activity level. “If the cat still climbs a lot, you should only trim the tips and do so regularly,” says Oelmann. “If the old cat mainly lies down, you can shorten them a little more.” However, claws should never be trimmed down to the cuticle.
Using nail clippers designed for human fingernails on cat claws is a definite no-go. Special claw clippers are more suitable. They are rounded and do not bruise when shortening.
By the way, to ensure that claw control – and trimming if necessary – works well, it’s best to practice touching the sensitive paws with young cats. “By offering plenty of treats and other rewards, you can encourage the claws to extend by gently pressing on the pads and toes,” says vet Oelmann. You should always make sure that the animal shows no signs of panic. If in doubt, it’s better to take a break.”
How do you train your cat for clipping?
The reasons for acclimating cats to claw clipping at a young age are clear. They are particularly capable of learning, and it is easier to train them to do things they don’t particularly like.
I have also practiced this with all my cats as soon as possible. It’s easiest to get kittens used to the procedure, but it always depends on how calm they are. My cat Remo, who I only got from an animal shelter when he was one year old, was already a teenage hooligan. However, with consistent training, claw trimming worked well for him, too.
Keep calm and touch the claws
First, take the animal into a quiet room and close the door. Then, cuddle them extensively. You can then playfully start to touch the cat’s paws.
If the animal allows this without complaint, you can carefully push out the claws at the joint. This claw attachment is located inside the paw, a few millimeters above the claws. With some practice, you can easily find the spot and push the claw out with light pressure. This happens automatically and is not unpleasant for the cat with some practice.
Look at claws and develop a routine
It is important that the animal remains calm during the entire procedure. I initially achieved this by cuddling Remo when he was lying on the floor. I also always had a sealed bag of treats lying next to me, which he got a few of after each step in the claw care training.
Very calm animals usually allow their claws to be trimmed if you can push their claws out. It also helps some if you let them sniff the claw clippers before you use them. You can then gradually apply the scissors during the claw check. It is important to make sure that very little of the claw is removed at the beginning. These initial training sessions are more about helping the animal get used to the feeling.
Getting animals with a traumatic past used to claw care
My cats all came from animal shelters. Most have already been through a lot when they come to me. Of course, this requires even more sensitivity when it comes to claw care. My first cat, Minka, was found with her siblings in a sack. This experience was formative for her, which is why she hid under blankets and preferred to snuggle up with me curled up, because this way, she was never alone – just like at the most traumatic time in her development. I also took advantage of this when trimming her claws. She felt safe when she touched me, so I took her in my arms and held her lightly. We then trimmed her claws.
This tactic was not possible with Remo. Any restriction of his freedom led to defensive behavior. His habit of going to the toilet with me actually helped me here.
He was always very relaxed in this enclosed space and also allowed claw trimming. However, initially, I had to hide the clippers from him until he was completely relaxed. After a certain period of getting used to it, he now sits on my lap purring and lets me check and trim all his claws. Afterward, of course, I always give him a treat because he’s now so good about it.
How do you go about trimming a cat’s claws?
The best way to cut a cat’s claws is with scissors designed for this purpose. These usually only work in one direction, so it is essential to pay attention to the arrangement of the scissor blades. If the claw scissors are used the wrong way around, the claw may splinter when cutting. The sickle-shaped claws of our cats consist of several layers of horn. These should also remain intact when cutting the claws.
With many claw clippers, a small hook on the side – also known as a finger orthosis or tang – provides information on how to hold them correctly. This finger orthosis is intended for the little finger and not only indicates the cutting direction but also provides more safety so that the paws do not slip. Most claw clippers are designed for right-handed users, but if you turn them around and cut with your left hand, the blades on some models are the wrong way around.
The claw must always be clipped at a right angle. Never cut away too much – especially with dark claws where you cannot see the blood vessels. Trimming the tip is usually sufficient.
Remove loose layers
Remo loves to scratch a particular rug. He is allowed to do this, as it was bought for this purpose. However, fibers sometimes come loose and push between the layers of the horn, causing his claws to fray. He also breaks his claws when he scratches the vacuum cleaner’s brush – which he loves to do. In both cases, splinters sometimes come off his claws. So that they don’t tear any further, it’s time for another “claw cure.”
These loose layers can be removed with the right claw scissors. To do this, open the scissors and scrape off the loose horny layer in front of the cuticle that surrounds the claw against the direction of growth. These chipped layers of horn can also occur when cats are too lazy to scratch.
What if the cat bleeds?
If the cat bleeds during claw trimming, too much of the claw has been removed. Usually, however, this bleeding should stop within five minutes. It is advisable to wash out the injured claw with hydrogen peroxide, as there may still be bacteria, urine, or cat litter residue on the paw. These should not get into the bloodstream. If the bleeding does not stop immediately, you should see a vet.
If the claws are cut too short, the cat’s confidence may also be lost, at least temporarily. Therefore, you should stop cutting at least three millimeters before the blood vessels of the claw or really only remove the tip. This is particularly useful with dark claws, as you may not even be able to see the blood vessels.
How often should cats’ claws be checked?
It is difficult to define an exact period for checking the claws. In some animals, the claws grow faster, so a period of four weeks is recommended. For others, a check and trim every eight weeks is sufficient. However, this is only a rule of thumb. If you hear the cat’s claws when walking or if the animal even has problems walking, it is advisable to check immediately and carry out a “paw pedicure.”
The claws on the animal’s hind legs should also be checked regularly, but here, it is necessary to intervene with the clippers, perhaps once every three months.
Conclusion: Why I think it makes sense to trim your cat’s claws
I looked after a senior cat years ago. The cat was 15 years old and had never had his claws trimmed, and the owner had not trained him for this. At that time, the animal’s wolf claw was growing painfully into the skin, and the remaining front claws had become misaligned, which had led to arthritis.
Cats’ claws become more horny and thicker as they get older. With reduced activity, they also wear out badly. At this point, the owner had no other option than to take the animal to the vet regularly to have its claws trimmed. While looking after the cat, I took over the paw care.
But it’s not just because of their age that I think it makes sense for cats to get used to having their claws trimmed. Even after an operation where they have to wear a neck brace for weeks, you should help the animals with paw care. Moreover, it is often more cost-effective and less stressful for the animal than frequent visits to the veterinarian.
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Sources
With material from dpa
- Tasso.net, „Krallen schneiden bei Katzen“ (accessed on 7.5.2023)
- SantéVet.de, „Krallen schneiden bei Katzen: Das ist zu beachten“ (accessed on 7.5.2023)